Our current predicament happens to coincide with my reading of the late Celtic writer and poet John O’Donohue, who wrote about the value of nurturing the space between us. This has got me thinking about the space between us that we have all experienced recently and also the value of taking time to breathe properly…….. that can be both empowering and healing.
The space between the out breath and the next in breath
Breath holding is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that is very powerful in enhancing oxygenation of the cells. If the outbreath is held a little longer than usual, in this space, oxygen will flood from the haemoglobin in the red blood cells into the cells in our tissues. This has powerful energy boosting and health promoting effects;
This space after the outbreath has the power to:
Stimulate EPO erythropoietin production, the hormone that boosts blood and endurance
Increase the production of stem cells
Increase vascular endothelial growth factor which leads to the formation of new blood vessels, such as coronary collateral circulation (heart circulation)
Produce transcription factor 51 that protects genes from damage
Lower blood sugar
Produce nitric oxide, known as the ‘panacea molecule’, one of the body’s most potent anti-oxidants, some functions of which are to dilate arteries, stimulate immune function and protect and repair DNA.
One method of practising this kind of deep breathing is through Buteyko breathing (buteyko.co.uk).
Breathing through the nose rather than the mouth has a calming effect on the body and enhances nitric oxide production which is produced in the paranasal sinuses. It also allows the nose hairs to filter particles, bacteria and viruses. Ayurveda has known the benefits of nose breathing for years.
This retention of carbon dioxide resulting from this slight air hunger will also be beneficial to thyroid function as explained by Tom Brimeyer (forefronthealth.com).
By breathing deep into the lower parts of the lungs, we will both access greater blood supply for exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide and the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for rest, digest and repair functions. We will activate the diaphragm, the breathing muscle, and by doing so, affect both the organs above it, heart and lungs, and below it, liver, gallbladder, spleen, stomach and pancreas. Dr John Douillard (Lifespa.com) has researched and written extensively on this subject.
Deeper breathing, both through breathing practices and through manual treatment of the body can also release emotions which have been stored up. In my work, I have found that many people hold the breath in, this being associated with a stressed state. Therefore the focus is often on the outbreath. This emotional release itself can be part of the healing effect. We often repress feelings without any awareness, especially in the UK, with its stiff upper lip tendencies. When this emotional energy is released from the lungs, it often comes out in sobs even if the cause of these emotions is unknown or forgotten. There is not enough emphasis on emotions in western medicine. Even the word emotion means a moving out, suggesting that emotions are meant to be expressed.
A space for connection, empowerment and change
With a greater amount of space between us all over the last year, we have been called on to dig deep, question many things, re-evaluate and re-assess many aspects of our lives. As mainstream opinions of the pandemic have been forced upon us, it has, however, been possible to dig deep and find our own truths within us, finding strengths, values and beliefs that we were not particularly aware of. Although it would seem that society is quite fragmented right now, it seems that there is an emerging unified consciousness, with heart centred energy at its core that is incredibly encouraging and healing. It would seem that in times of crisis, we have turned to our hearts, that are so very powerful and uniting. The heart has been found to be more powerful electromagnetically than the brain and can actually influence others. You can read more on this at heartmath.com. The word encouragement comes from the word heart.
John O'Donahue talked about the value of this private healthy space around us and how we needed to protect it. Whilst on the one hand, there is the ever advancing threat of microwave electromagnetic frequencies that are incompatible with health, at the same time, there is a rising of the human consciousness and a remembering of what it is to be human.
Here are some beautiful words from John O’Donohue to nurture that space between us.
On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets into you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green
and azure blue,
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.
